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Lionhearted ... Peter Siddle leads Australia's bowlers to victory on day five. Source: Rick Rycroft / AP
Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle have claimed nine wickets between them to clean up Sri Lanka's batsmen and deliver Australia a 137-run victory on day five of the first Test in Hobart.
Re-live the action as it happened with our live and interactive blog.
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1st Test - Blundstone Arena
14 December 2012 - Day 5, Session 3
Sri Lanka 2nd Innings
| S. Eranga | 6 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| C. Welegedara | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| M. Starc | 28.2 | 7 | 63 | 5 | 2.22 |
Complete
First ball: 10:30 AM December 14, 2012
Location: Blundstone Arena
Match Summary
Australia: 5/450 & 9/278
Sri Lanka: 10/336 & 10/255
Latest comments (all times EDT):
1812: So that's all she wrote here in Hobart, with Australia winning by 137 runs. Mitchell Starc finishes with figures of 5-63 off 28.2 overs, receiving able support from Peter Siddle (4-50 off 26) who was Australia's best bowler. We now turn our attention to the MCG and the Boxing Day Test. Thanks for joining me, Trent Hile, over the course of the past five days and I look forward to your company again in Melbourne. Bye for now.
1805: WICKET! (Welegedara c Wade b Starc, SL 255) Starc wraps things up! He gets a vicious shorter ball to grab the glove of Welegedara on the way through to Wade who accepts the catch. That's five wickets to the young New South Welshman and he's helped deliver Australia's first victory of the summer.
1801: Peter Siddle gets the duties at the other end. He's bowled so courageously in the tough periods today - it would be fitting if he wrapped things up.
1755: WICKET! (Herath 8, b Starc, SL 9-250) Starc has four! Herath does well to dig out a yorker but gets a touch unlucky as he plays it onto his boot and back onto the stumps. There's just one wicket left for an Aussie win.
1751: Eranga plays out a maiden from Watson. There's 78 balls left for Sri Lanka to survive.
1742: In other news, Usman Khawaja has been withdrawn from Thursday's Big Bash fixture and is rumoured to be replacing Michael Clarke in the Boxing Day Test.
1741: The players are enjoying the final drinks break of this Test, with at least 15 overs remaining.
1736: WICKET! (Kulasekara 9, c Wade b Starc, SL 8-247) Starc gets the double breakthrough! He shapes a perfect out-swinger to the right-handed Kulasekara, grabbing a feint nick on the way through to Wade. Just two wickets stand in between Australia and their first victory of the summer.
1735: Herath is offering plenty of little half chances. If one of these don't go to hand soon, Michael Clarke might need to visit a shrink.
1732: We've now got two overs until the final hour where at least 15 overs must be bowled. Starc charging into Herath.
1730: FOUR! Kulasekara rocks onto the back foot against Lyon and belts him to the rope in front of point.
1719: Chance! Close! Starc finds the edge from Kulasekara who attempts to drive, but Watson can't get his hands low enough at slip as it collects him in the foot.
1710: WICKET! (Jayawardene 21, c Hussey b Starc, SL 7-235) Starc strikes! He gets a bit of extra bounce from a good-length delivery which finds the shoulder of Jayawardene's bat, carrying to Hussey at second slip. Good bowling change from Clarke, with Starc doing the job.
1708: FOUR! Not a good start from Starc; too straight to Jayawardene from around the wicket and he helps himself to a freebie with no man at fine leg. SL 6-233
1707: It's a double change with Starc replacing Siddle at the other end.
1705: Clarke introduces Lyon back into the attack. He hasn't had too much impact so far in this Test, but gets the chance to be the hero here.
1700: Kulasekara cops a nasty one from Siddle that cuts back and rises steeply, collecting him in the chest.
1647: Steve says: "At the moment this popgun attack is missing the venom of Johnson, who can still bowl at 145kms. He definitely should play next Test."
Trent says: I think he might get a chance in Starc's place at the MCG, with Bird to come in in the place of Hilfenhaus.
1640: WICKET! ... Siddle strikes but DRS will have the final say! He jags one back past the bat of Samaraweera and cannons into the front pad, with Nigel Long raising the finger after little hesitation. We'll go upstairs first ... but yes, that's out. (Samaraweera 49, LBW Siddle, SL 6-218)
1635: Close! Watson has Samaraweera defending in the air but Phil Hughes at silly mid-off can't react quick enough.
1634: For those of you who missed it, you can check out Wade bowling here.
1631: FOUR! Samaraweera gets a short one from Watson and duly dispatches it to the square leg boundary.
1622: FOUR! The wicketkeeper Jayawardene opens his account with a punch through the off-side to finish the Siddle over.
1616: WICKET! (Mathews 19, c Wade b Siddle, SL 5-201) In times of need, who else delivers but Siddle. The lionhearted quick charges in to Mathews and entices the edge with a ball that just moves away fractionally from the right-hander. Pretty poor shot in the end from Mathews but terrific persistence from Siddle.
1607: FOUR! Mathews fishes uppishly outside off-stump to Siddle but finds the gap behind square for a rare boundary. SL 4-194
1603: Watson gets things underway after tea with all ten of his teammates fielding up inside the circle. Can he make the breakthrough, or will this be Adelaide all over again?
1547: It appears we're seeing everything - bouncers, mully-grubbers, keepers bowling, batsmen keeping - bar wickets in Hobart.
1543: You wouldn't believe this but Wade is bowling around 132km/h. He finishes with a maiden. That's TEA.
1539: Well this is unbelievable. Matthew Wade has taken off the keeping pads to have a trundle, with Phillip Hughes taking the gloves.
1534: After all that, Starc sends the next one whistling past Mathews' nose. I don't think he'll be ducking any more.
1530: Starc charges in from around the wicket with Mathews on strike. He attempts to duck a shorter delivery but it doesn't get high enough, slamming into his exposed elbow just above the arm guard. That will hurt. After a lengthy delay for some treatment, Mathews opts to continue on.
1524: For those who can't see the Aussies rescuing this Test ... the last time Australia failed to win a Test in the first four of the summer was 26 years ago, in the 1986/87 Ashes series.
1519: As Lyon has an LBW shout against a leaving Samaraweera turned down, Ken says: "How much more evidence do the selectors need to see that this group of bowlers, with the exception of Siddle, are nowhere near good enough to win test matches. Hilfenhaus bowls crap, Starc is shaping as Johnson's understudy, Lyon is the most non-threatening spinner in world cricket and Johnson is a pie chucker of the highest order. Time to give some of the young guys a go – those that aren't injured that is."
1511: Lyon returns and the final ball of his over hits a rough patch and almost rolls under the bat of Samaraweera.
1509: Lewis of Macksville says: "If there is anything that our bowling department is missing it is a fast bowler like a brett lee or a pat cummins to get under the batsmans skin. We need a fast fiery spell to be bowled. Pattinson and especially cummins are capable of doing this but we cant keep them both on the pitch."
Trent says: What I'd give to see Cummins and Pattinson operating in tandem...
1505: FOUR! Starc has Samaraweera jumping at the crease but he uses soft hands to guide the ball safely to the boundary behind square. SL 4-174
1501: Watson gets things back underway with Samaraweera on strike. Clarke must be starting to worry with these niggling rain delays. There's 45 overs left in the day.
1437: RAIN DELAY: Some threatening clouds circling the mountains have hit the ground and brought more rain. As the players head off it seems to be easing slightly, but the covers are going on.
1436: Samaraweera cops a nasty one from Watson that climbs steeply and catches him on the gloves. If there was a short leg in there he would have been in serious trouble.
1431: After a slow few overs, the new ball has been taken. There was a hint of reverse-swing with the old ball so the Aussies will be hoping for some conventional shape. Siddle will get first crack to Mathews, who is 1 off 24.
1418: The new ball is now available but Clarke has stalled on taking it.
1409: FOUR! Watson into the attack and throws his first ball full and wide. Samaraweera feasts on the wide half-volley and crunches it to the rope in front of point.
1405: Siddle beats the bat of the new man Mathews and gives him a brief spray to top things off.
1400: The sun is out and play is back underway in Bellerive. It'll be Nathan Lyon bouncing in to Samaraweera.
1333: Just when you thought Australia were on their way, the heavens have opened. We've got a delay at Bellerive.
1330: WICKET! For real this time? Yes! Plumb as you like (Sangakkara 63, LBW Siddle, SL 4-151). Siddle finally gets one that pitches in line and straightens, catching Sangakkara on the pads as he gets caught up on the crease. Umpire Long says that's out. Kumar reviews the decision but to no avail.
1320: WICKET! ... Siddle catches Samaraweera on the front pad with a ball that stays low and Umpire Long gives him out! The batsmen decide to review the decision and it's a wise move too, with Samaraweera getting that front leg just outside the line off off stump. So it'll be NOT OUT. That's two overturned either side of lunch with Nigel Long getting a bit trigger happy.
1321: ZSM of Brisbane says: "Lyon's lack of penetration in the 2nd innings, when he should be posing all sorts of problems, is a worry. Happened against Sth Africa (twice) and is happening again here. Petersen and Herath did exactly what you'd expect a spinner to do, but Lyon doesn't seem to have any answers."
1318: FOUR! Lyon errs short and wide; Sangakkara takes full advantage, punching him through cover-point for the first boundary after lunch. SL 3-150
1309: I hope you enjoyed your lunch - a bit of left-over spag bol in my lunchbox today for those who were wondering - but the players are back out in the middle meaning we're just about ready to get underway. It'll be Lyon pushing into a generous Bellerive breeze.
1236: Make sure you check out Brett Geeves' latest piece for a giggle over your ham and cheese roll.
1231: LUNCH: Australia take just the one wicket to the sheds after the first session with the danger man Sangakkara successfully reviewing and having his LBW dismissal overturned. The Aussies require another seven wickets, while Sri Lanka need another 248 to win.
1226: It's hard work out there for the Sri Lankans; they're 3-140 off 69 overs. Watson is making a few things happen with some reverse swing and the wicket deteriorating.
1219: Wicket! ... wait REVERSED! Sangakkara cops one of those spooky Watson deliveries that stays low from around the wicket, clipping him on the knee-roll as he attempts to pull. Umpire Long raises the finger! It looked out but Sangakkara decides he has little choice but to review. Hold the phone - he got himself just outside the line of off-stump. That might be the first DRS review that's gone Sri Lanka's way this Test!
1214: As Samaraweera edges Lyon wide of slip for three, Mark asks: "Are you a Bird or Cutting fan? It seems like the Foxsports readers are split on who should replace Hilf. Should be a poll."
Trent says: I'm a Bird man, particularly with the red ball. More of a genuine swing bowler. Plus I'd have to trade Cutting out of my Fantasy Big Bash team.
1203: There's been some reports circulating Twitter this morning surrounding allegations of ball tampering by two Australian players. Check out the story here.
A Sri Lankan newspaper report claims the touring cricket team has accused Australian players of ball tampering during the Hobart Test. "There was a bit of controversy during the Sri Lankan chase for victory in the second innings when two prominent Australians were noticed allegedly tampering with the ball," wrote the Sri Lankan Daily news correspondent, adding "we understand that the Sri Lankan management had brought this ugly side of the game to the notice of the match referee." The report said players "were seen trying to up the seam using their fingers so as to give undue advantage to their bowlers." Cricinfo correspondent Daniel Brettig reported on twitter that ICC referee Chris Broad is "aware of reports but says no official complaint" has been made.
1200: FOUR! Samaraweera comes down the track and is beaten for flight by Lyon, but picks it up cleanly enough to send it two bounces and to the rope at long-on. SL 3-127
1151: Rippersportspro of NSW asks: "Two questions about Siddle. Firstly, how many of his 132 Test wickets have been caught in the slips? Secondly, overall, how many times are we going to see the combination "caught Clarke bowled Siddle" by the time the career of one of those two comes to an end?"
Trent says: I'd have to forward the first one on to the good fellows in the Fox Sports Stats department - the second, I'd say 7-10 percent of his overall wickets.
1145: FOUR! Fifty to Sangakkara: Warner serves up a juicey full-toss to Sangakkara and he dispatches it to the mid-wicket boundary. That's the fifty up for the Sri Lankan veteran. Can you believe he's 35? I reckon he could pass as a 28-year-old.
1142: Siddle gets the chop despite taking the big wicket of Jayawardene, with Clarke favouring the left-armer Starc to Samaraweera. Starc justifies the change with a good over, beating the bat on a couple of occasions.
1137: The new man Samaraweera was out edging Lyon on the final ball of day two - will be interesting to see what approach he takes to Warner. He's yet to get off the mark.
1131: WICKET! (Jayawardene 19 c Clarke b Siddle, SL 3-119) Siddle finds the breakthrough straight after drinks! He pitches up to Jayawardene with a full-length out-swinger and finds the outside edge. Clarke takes a terrific catch, low and to his right - that would have tested out the hamstring! That's a big wicket for Australia.
1126 says: Filomena Giglio says: "My message to CA – get off your moral high horse, swallow your pride and allow Murali to teach Lyon the Doosera as this could lift him for being almost there to being world class. From being a part time cricketer 3-4 years ago to being the fastest off spinner to 50 wickets means Lyon has what it takes but needs experience and time to hone his craft (which is bloody hard craft I must say)."
Trent says: I completely agree that Lyon would be well served by some mentoring from Murali, although I'm not entirely sure whether he would be capable of bowling an undisguised Doosra. The guys who bowl it - your Murali's and Ajmal's of the world - are more wristy off-spinners, whereas Lyon is your conventional finger spinner. I think that's why he's developed 'Jeff' which is more of a carrom ball and the reverse spin is imparted by the fingers, rather than the wrist.
1118: A pretty good start there from Warner. He's drifting and landing the ball nicely.
1116: Here's an interesting bowling change from Clarke: David Warner into the attack with his part-time leggies. He can bowl a wicket-taking delivery but I'm a tad surprised to see Lyon discarded so soon.
1114: Jayawardene flicks one away through square and picks up three. The real worry for the Aussies this morning is that we're yet to see a ball beat the edge or misbehave off the wicket.
1108: FOUR! Watson strays down leg with an in-swinger to Jayawardene and the skipper gets a touch on it to see the ball race away for four. That's the hundred up in a solid start from the tourists. SL 2-101
1106: Another nice piece of fielding for the 13th man Jordan Silk, as he races around from fine leg to keep a Sangakkara leg glance to just the single.
1103: Scott of Geelong asks: "Surely if Clarkes hamstring was so bad he wouldnt be out there fielding, or is he resigned to the fact that he will miss the next game and wants to contribute now while he can?"
Trent says: I'd say the skipper is pretty keen to ensure his boys get over the line for the first time this summer, and he'll deal with whatever consequences over the coming week.
1100: Drew from Cairns asks via email: "How is the pitch holding up?"
Trent says: It's played OK so far this morning but once the effects of the roller wear off, I expect we'll see the odd nightmare ball shoot through low and cause a few problems.
1052: We've got a double change, with Peter Siddle replacing Starc at the Church St end. He was very nearly the hero in Adelaide and will be keen to do the business for his skipper today.
1049: Shane Watson into the attack for the first time today. He got a couple to almost roll last night so Jayawardene and Sangakkara will have to be on their toes.
1045: Alex Hutchings of Plymouth says: "Sangakkara needs 103 runs to beat Lara's record of 195 innings to reach 10000 test runs. Could see some history being made."
Trent says: Thanks for the heads up Alex. I must confess I'm a bit of a closet Kumar fan, so that only adds another excuse to give each of his runs a sneaky fist pump.
1040: FOUR! Lyon comes back over the wicket to Sangakkara but drops too short and gets punished through the off-side. That one just sat up and said "hit me". SL 2-86
1034: FOUR! Sangakkara plays another beauty, this time a square drive off the back foot to Lyon for four.
1031: Classic Sangakkara. The left-hander plays through the line with a stylish drive through extra-cover off Starc, picking up three as the ball pulls up just short of the rope.
1026: Comedy of errors there. Jayawardene comes out of his crease to drive Lyon and belts it straight back at the bowler. Lyon cleans up with a nice piece of fielding but then undoes the good work with a wild throw back at the stumps. Sri Lanka pick up two. SL 2-73
1021: There's two main points of interest this morning that I will tick off early: a) the sun is shining and the forecast is clear and b) Michael Clarke is on the field and has resumed his post at first slip.
1014: Starc begins with a maiden. I'm tipping there'll be plenty of those today. Nathan Lyon has the ball at the other end.
1011: Mitchell Starc will kick things off for the Aussies with Jayawardene taking strike.
1005: Good morning all and welcome to foxsports.com.au's coverage of the final day of the Hobart Test. Trent Hile here to guide you through the conclusion of this first encounter between Australia and Sri Lanka. After four intriguing days of Test cricket, the situation is this: Sri Lanka require a further 328 runs for victory with eight wickets in hand with Kumar Sangakkara (18 not out) and captain Mahela Jayawardene (5 not out) to resume.
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